Evaporative cooler



June 8, 1965 l. M. ALGUIRE 3,138,061

EVAPORATIVE COOLER Filed Nov. 27. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l /4 mvsu rox.IVA/v M ALau/fz BY HERBERT C. SCHULZE A rroeusy June 8, 1965 M. ALGUIRE3,188,061

EVAPORA'I'IVE COOLER Filed Nov. 27. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mgi M5INVENTOR. IVAN M. ALGA/IRE HERBERT C Sam/1.25

A 7'7'0ENEY and United States Patent Ollice 3,l88,%l Patented June 8,165

3,188,061 EVAPGRATIVE COGLER Ivan M. Alguire, Riverside, Calitl; Alma P.Alguire and Jackton I. Algnire, executors of said Ivan M. Alguire,deceased Filed Nov. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 154,967

2 Claims. (Cl. 261-24) This invention relates generally to evaporativecoolers and particularly to water control and cleansing means therefore.

One of the main objects of the invention is to the provision ofmechanism for controlling and refreshing the water bath that isgradually evaporated by the cooling drum.

Another object of the invention is to provide easily operated manualmeans for removing the cooling drum lowering of the water level, by theevaporation from the cooling drum rotating therein, will refresh,cleanse and re fill the bath.

Another object of the invention is to provide automatic control meansfor the water basic, whereby a substantially equal amount of evaporatedWater is drained off prior a complete refilling of the basin.

Still another object of the invention is in the provision of manualcontrol means for stopping automatic operation a'nd draining the deviceduring lengthy periods of in action.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a float controlledelectrical system for draining a determined amount of waterintermittently for the purpose of refreshing the water and exhaustingdeposits therein.

A further object of the invention is in the provision of a dual aXistype of cooling drum that permits easy manual removal and cleansingthereof.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration ofthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the'device with blower and cooling drumcovers removed;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view with part of the cooling drum brokenaway;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3--3 ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of the filter drum with.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the control unit. with valves andsolenoids in actuated position;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the control unit showing themanual control lever in positions of use;

FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of the hydraulic and electrical systems.

Referring to the drawings, a blower, cooling drum and water bath unitare shown in FIGURES 1 to 4 inclusive.

A blower housing 10 surrounds a conventional blower assembly generallyreferred to as B. The housing 10 is supported on spaced base members 12and 14. A metal sump 16 extends from the support 14 and has its outerend 16 supported and carried upon a base member 18. A rim portion 20 ofsump 16 is continuous with a downwardly curving depression 22 thereinwhich forms a flat circular basin, pan or bath 23 conforming to thecylindrical cooling drum generallyrefer red to as D. The ends of thecurved section are welded to the sides of the sump 16 so that the basinalone forms the water bath for the cooling drum when filled to theproper level. The sump or basin may be demountable and lifted out asdesired for replacement, cleaning or painting.

The blower B is conventional in structure and is supported within acontainer 24 that directs the cooled moisture laden air to a room orreceptacle to be conditioned. The blower B has the rapidly movingcylinder 26 of any conventional type mounted on a transverse centralshaft 28. A large pulley wheel 30 on one end of the shaft 28 isconnected by a belt 32 to a small pulley 34 on a drive shaft 36 of theelectric motor M. A small pulley 33 on the outer end of the blower shaft28 has a belt 40 connection with a larger pulley 42 engaging a shaft 44in a reduction gear mechanism 46. The reduction gear 46 is mounted on ahorizontally disposed angle iron support 48.: The cooling drum D isconventional as far as the outer periphery'is concerned. A pair, ofspaced cylindrical hardware cloth members 50 and 52 contain a bronze orstainless steel pad 54 therebetween. The outer end of the evaporator orcooling drum has a solid metal outer portion 53 with a centralconnection 60 on a central supporting tube 62 for the cooling drum. .Thecooling drum has spaced metal arms 64 connecting its inner end with ahub 66 onthe central drum supporting tube 62. The tube 62 has a ballbearing 68 connected to its inner end. A pillow block bearing 70sustains the bearing 68 and is apertured at either side to fit overdowel pins 72 ex tending from the angle iron cross brace 48. The innerbearing support for the drum D and tubular support 62 is demountable.The outer end of the tube 62 has a ball bearing 74 fastened thereto. Apillow block 76 sustaining the bearing 74 is bolted at 78 to a shortangle iron support 84) which in turn is attached to an arm 82 risingfrom a horizontal angle iron portion 84. The portion 84 rests upon thebase member 18 and has a demountable connection therewith by means ofdowel pins 86 in said base 18 engaging spaced apertures therein. It isapparent that both end supports for the tube 62 and the cooling drum Dare demountable with respect to the blower unit and the water bath orbasin heretofore described. A driving means for the tube 62 and drum Dis provided by a large pulley wheel 88 on the tube 62 anda belt 90connection with a small pulley 92 attached to a shaft 94 eX- tendingfrom the reduction gear 46. The evaporator or cooling drum D has alouvered protective housing, not shown, that does not interfere with aircirculation there- 7 about and therethrough. The cooling drum D isgeared down from the fast moving blower and the lower edge thereofrotates slowly in the basin or bath 23 which is filled with water to thedesired level.

A special means has been provided for removing the drum D from the waterbath for the purpose of manually cleaning any deposit collected thereonthat interferes with proper air filtration and circulation therethrough.An inner reinforcing steel tube 188, as shown in FIGURE 4, is insertabiewithin the tube 62 and rotates therewith. The inner reinforcing tube 180has a secondary purpose of use since it can be withdrawn manually toform a basis of support for the inner end of the drum D when beingdemounted for cleansing purpose. The operator first removes the belt 98from the pulley 88 and then withdraws the tube 188 so that it can reston the angle iron brace 48 after the drum D is lifted from its dowel pinconnections on the angle iron 48 and the base 18. After the drum hasbeen lifted and offset from its dowel connections at each end andwithdrawn inner tube 108 is resting on angle iron brace 48, it is arelatively simple matter to elevate the outer end of said drum and pullit completely out of the water bath. During this operation the withdrawnend of tube 190 can be left in place on brace 48 where it will remainbecause of the downwardly pressing weight of the drum acting at thatpoint. A diflicult manual operation is made easy by the coinciding tubesand the cumbersome cooling drum can be easily replaced after thecleansing operation. It is merely necessary in replacing the drum D toslide it upon the tube 100 until a point is reached at which its endscan be lifted and its mounting hardware installed upon the dowel pinconnecting means. Replacement of the belt 98 and inserting of the tube109 within the tube 62 is easily accomplished.

An automatic control system for the water basin or bath is shown inFIGURES 5, 6, 7 and 8. A control box or housing 182 in FIGURE 1 showsthe location of the water control mechanism to be immediately adjacentthe water bath and slowly rotating cooling drum. A tube 1114 leads fromthe basin 23 to a float chamber 186 in the control box 102. A drain tube1118 leads from the water bath 23 to a dump valve generally referred toas 110 in FIGURE 8. A replenishing or water supply tube 112 connects thebasin 23 with a supply or fill valve generally referred to as 114 in theschematic view of FIGURE 8.

The details of the float controlled valve mechanism is disclosed indetail in FIGURES and 6. A float 116 in the chamber 186 has a stem 118pivotally connected at 120 to a plate lever 122. The plate lever 122 ispivotally connected at 124 to an extension from thecontrol box orhousing 102. An upper mercury bottle switch 126 is clamped at 128 on theplate lever 122. A lower mercury bottle switch 129 is clamped at 138 tothe lever 122. The upper mercury switch 126 is electrically connected asshown in FIGURE 8 to a conventional solenoid 132 secured to the housing102. A pin 134 and coil spring 136 connects the solenoid 132 with ashaft 138 that has a valve member 140 secured to its lower end. As willlater be seen, valve member 148 is lifted by the central laminated coreof solenoid 132 when that unit is actuated in the manner hereinafterindicated. The lifting motion of valve member 140 is transmitted fromthe solenoid core through spring 136 since that spring connects shaft138 to said core by means of pin 134 as indicated above. Spring 136,

:rather than a straight rod or section of wire, is employed apparent. Acasing 14-2 surrounding the shaft 138 has a valve housing 144 secured toits lower end. A seat 146 for the valve 148 forms the upper end of drainopening 148. The before mentioned tube 108 leads to the water basin orbath 23. The dump valve generally referred to as 110 is controlled bythe solenoid 132 which is energized by clockwise or downward movement ofthe upper mercury switch 126 operating through a conventional irelay150. The incoming current is through a conventional connection 151.

The replenishing or water supply valve generally referred to as 114 inFIGURE 8 is conventional in design and the valve and seat elements havenot been shown. The fill tube 112 communicates with the valve 114 whichis supplied from an outside ordinary water connection through the tube152 threadedly connected to a washer 154 and easing elements 156 of thevalve 114. The dump and supply valves 118 and 114 are suitably supportedin the bottom of the control box 182. A lever 158 pivoted at 168 to thesupply valve 114 controls the movement of the valve. The lever 158 hasan arm 162 pivotally connected thereto at 164. The arm 162 isoperatively connected at 166 to a conventional solenoid 168 whichcontrols its movement as well as the operation of the valve 114. A coilspring .170 connected to the valve 114 at 172 and to the solenoid at 174returns the lever 158 to valve closing position when the solenoid 168 isdeenergized. The solenoid 168 is electrically connected through therelay 158 as shown in FIGURE 8 to the lower mercury switch 129.

In FIGURES 6 and 7 a manual means for an on and 'oif operation of thewater supply to the basin 23 as shown.

in normal operation.

per end (see FIGURE 5 for a clear showing of this washer) and move itand stem 118 in a upward direction upon rotation of transverse shaft 182by manual actuating movement of lever 180. Because of the previouslynoted pivotal connection between float stem 118 and plate lever 122 towhich are clamped mercury bottle switches 126 and 129, the upwardmovement of said stem upon actuation of lever 188 causes lever 122 tomove and tilt the bottle switches sufliciently far in a counterclockwisedirection to cause displacement of the mercury away from their internalelectrodes and effectivelydeactivate them for as long as they remain inthe tilted position. A finger 190 on the shaft 182 moves the springcontrolled dump valve to open position thereby draining the basin orbath '23 when the device is to be out of automatic operation for anylength of time.

When transverse shaft 182 and lever 188 are in the nonoperative positionlever is turned to its extreme clockwise position, as shown on FIGURE 7,and fingers 188 and 1% (thin metal straps affixed to shaft 182 in suchfashion as to turn with it when it is rotated) are disposed out ofcontact with the previously mentioned washer on float stem 118 andsolenoid 132, respectively. To actuate the manual control mechanism andaccomplish the abovedescribed results, lever 180 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction. This d-irection of movement causestransverse shaft 182 to rotate and bring fingers 188 and 190 intocontact with the aforesaid washer and solenoid, re-

spectively. The action of finger 188 in causing float stem 118 to moveupwardly and deactivate mercury bottle switches 126 and 129 has alreadybeen discussed. Finger 190, as it swings upwardly in response to thecounterclockwise movement of lever 188 comes into contact with thebottom edge of the nearest of two oppositely pointing projections on thebottom portion of the laminated core of solenoid 132 and, as itsmovement continues, the finger pushes the solenoid core upwardly to thelimit of its travel The upward travel of the solenoid core results inshaft 138, and attached valve 140, being pulled upward and dump valve110, as a consequence, being opened. Clockwise movement of lever 180from its extreme counterclockwise position (which is determined by thetravel limitations inherent in the system) to its other positionalextreme causes fingers 188 and 190 to swing down and out of contact withthe washer on float stem 118 and the core of solenoid 132, respectively,

thereby permitting the automaticwater control system to resume itsoperations. .Two examples of projections of the type engaged by finger190 in the above-described manual shutdown procedure can be seen inprofile on the bottom portion of the downwardly depending core ofsolenoid' 168 shown in FIGURE 5.

The opera-tion of the automatic means for the water supply to the bathor basin is controlled by the upper and lower mercury switches. When theunit is turned on and the manual lever placed in on position, the lowermercury switch contacts and opens the supply valve filling the pan orbasin 23. When the basin is full, the upper mercury bottle switch breaksand the supply valve closes. The manner in which the opening and closingmanipulations of the dump and supply valves are coordinated by theactions of the mercury switches to fulfill the purposes taught hereinwill be clear from the complete description of the automatic watercontrol system to follow. Suflice it to say at this point that the lowermercury switch is so angular-ly positioned on plate lever 1'22 and sogeometrically linked to float 116 through float stem 118 that as thewater level lowers to a certain point, hereinafter delineated, themercury within the switch moves to the closed switch position andcurrent is delivered to solenoid 168 actuating it and causing supplyvalve 114 to open in the below-described manner and permit the deliveryof water to basin 23. In addition to energizing solenoid 168, theclosing of the lower mercury switch actuates relay 150 which causes amovable cont-act element to move and break the electrical connectionbetween upper mercury switch 126 and solenoid 132, previously advertedto, thus d-e-energizing the latter and causing dump valve 110 to close.

' water that is evaporated and then completely filling the basin or pan.This is accomplished by the particular position of the mercury switches.The upper mercury switch is set to complete the electrical circuit tothe dump valve 110 when evaporation of water in the basin has reducedthe level approximately one quarter of an inch. Downward movement of thefloat valve tilts the lever 12 2 and upper mercury switch which contactsand opens the dump valve 110. The water level is lowered by such actionapproximately one quarter of an inch. The downward movement of the float116 by such dumping action tilts the lever and lower mercury switchwhich contacts and energizes solenoid 168 and opens the replenishingvalve 114. Fresh water flows into the basin 23 until it is completelyfilled to desired level at which time the upper mercury switch, whichhas been moved to upper most position, opens the electrical circuit andshuts off the water supply. The same cycle of automatic operationcontinues as described until the device is stopped for a substantiallength of time by manual lever operation.

Explaining in somewhat greater detail the sequence of movements in theoperation of my automatic water control system,.the closing of the uppermercury switch by the downward movement of the float valve energizessolenoid 132 which, as previously indicated, causes its core to liftshaft 138 .with valve member 140 secured to its lower end and therebyopen dump valve 110. The angle of tilt of the lower mercury switchdiffers from that of the upper mercury switch in such direction that itdoes not close until the water level drops approximately one quarter ofan inch below that which causes contact within the upper switch. Whenthe proper amount of water is dumped to cause this much drop in waterlevel in basin 23, the lower mercury switch is actuated causingenergization of solenoid 168, operation of relay 150 and consequentopening of supply valve 114 in the manner set forth above in thediscussion relating to the filling of basin 23 by the automatic controlsystem here involved. The sequence of operations from this point untilthe cycle of controlled events repeats itself is the same as describedin the above .adverted to discussion of the automatic filling of basin23;

While I have shown and described in considerable detail what I believeto be the preferred form of my invention,'it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that many changes may be made in the shape andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the broad scopeof the invention, as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an evaporative cooler comprising a cooling filter drum, a panadaptable for containing water, means for rotatably supporting said drumin position over said pan whereby the lower portion of the drum dipsinto water in the pan during operation of the cooler, a blower sopositioned as to suck air from the outer surroundings through the wallsof the filter drum during operation of the cooler and blow it in thedesired direction, and the necessary means for supporting, supplyingenergy to, and otherwise contributing to the successful operation of thecooler, the improvement comprising:

(a) a shaft fixedly securedlongitudinally and axially of said coolingdrum whereby rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the drum;

(b) bearing support means for said shaft;

(0) support structure for said bearing support means adapted to maintainthe shaft and drum in proper operating position in service; and

(d) means capable of maintaining said bearing support means on saidsupport structure therefor during operational use of the cooler withoutthe aid of fastening devices to prevent movement whereby the drum andshaft assembly can be readily mounted on and demounted from said supportstructure for said bearing support means by lifting means alone;

(e) in combination with automatic means for maintaining water in saidpan at the proper level and degree of purity during operation of thecooler, said automatic means comprising;

(f) a first line suitable for draining water from said pan connectedthereto;

(g) a dump valve in said first line;

(h) a second line connecting said pan to a source of Water supply;

(i) a replenishing valve in said second line;

(j) float-actuated means, controlled by the water level in said panthrough the rise and fall of a float member in communication with thewater in the pan during operation of the cooler, for opening said dumpvalve and draining a predetermined quantity of water from the pan aftera predetermined quantity of water has evaporated therefrom;

(k) float-actuated means for opening the replenishing valve and closingthe dump valve after the aforesaid predetermined quantity of water hasbeen drained from the pan whereby water is fed into said pan; and

(1) means for closing said replenishing valve when an amount of watersubstantially equivalent to that evaporated and drained from the pan hasbeen supplied thereto.

2. The combination of claim 1 in further combination with manual controlmeans for de-activating said floatactuated means for opening and closingsaid dump valve and said replenishing valve in proper sequence and, atthe same time, opening said dump valve whereby the cooler can bemanually shut down and drained prior to anticipated periods ofinactivity.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,839,206 1/32Doherty 26192 X (Other references on following page) Plunk 26192 Norris98-2 X Robinson 261,88 X

Wocd 26192 X Hays 26192 X Alguire 137-391 HARRY B. THORNTON, PrimaryExaminer.

HERBERT L. MARTIN, Examiner.

1. IN AN EVAPORATIVE COOLER COMPRISING A COOLING FILTER DRUM, A PANADAPTABLE FOR CONTAINING WATER, MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID DRUMIN POSITION OVER SAID PAN WHEREBY THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DRUM DIPSINTO WATER IN THE PAN DURING OPERATION OF THE COOLER, A BLOWER SOPOSITIONED AS TO SUCK AIR FROM THE OUTER SURROUNDINGS THROUGH THE WALLSOF THE FILTER DRUM DURING OPERATION OF THE COOLER AND BLOW IT IN THEDESIRED DIRECTION, AND THE NECESSARY MEANS FOR SUPPORTING, SUPPLYINGENERGY TO, AND OTHERWISE CONTRIBUTING TO TH SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THECOOLER, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: (A) A SHAFT FIXEDLY SECUREDLONGITUDINALLY AND AXIALLY OF SAID COOLING DRUM WHEREBY ROTATION OF THESHAFT CAUSES ROTATION OF THE DRUM; (B) BEARING SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAIDSHAFT; (C) SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SAID BEARING SUPPORT MEANS ADAPTED TOMAINTAIN THE SHAFT AND DRUM IN PROPER OPERATING POSITION IN SERVICE; AND(D) MEANS CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING SAID BEARING SUPPORT MEANS ON SAIDSUPPORT STRUCTURE THEREFOR DURING OPERATIONAL USE OF THE COOLER WITHOUTTHE AID OF FASTENING DEVICES TO PREVENT MOVEMENT WHEREBY THE DRUM ANDSHAFT ASSEMBLY CAN BE READILY MOUNTED ON AND DEMOUNTED FROM SAID SUPPORTSTRUCTURE FOR SAID BEARING SUPPORT MEANS BY LIFTING MEANS ALONE; (E) INCOMBINATION WITH AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR MAINTAINING WATER IN SAID PAN ATTHE PROPER LEVEL AND